Spring Arrival in New Zealand.

The first observations of the arrival of the cuckoo were made at Opua, Bay of Islands, and at Parau, Auckland, both on August 14. Within twenty-four hours it had been recorded at Nuhaka, Poverty Bay. The fact that these points are each separated by considerable distances (120 and 220 miles respectively), and that a fortnight elapsed before birds were reported at intervening points, would suggest that separate landfalls had been made by birds approaching from the north-west, some landing in the north and others continuing south-castward across the Bay of Plenty to Poverty Bay. During the ensuing fortnight two fresh incursions were made, bridgeheads appearing at Ohura (August 20) and in Wellington (Paraparaumu, August 20; Khandallah, August 28; Heretaunga, August 28). Meantime the previously established bridgeheads had been expanding, the central one extending south to Pukekohe (August 26) and to Piha (August 31), and the eastern bridgehead extending inland to Matawai (c. August 30), though the latter may have been fresh migrants from the Bay of Plenty. It is noteworthy that till the end of August no birds were reported from districts further than twenty miles from the sea, and that the known incursions were limited to the five areas specified in the North Island.

The first half of September was marked by the arrival of birds in the South Island, landfall being made at Blenheim (September 14) and at Scargill (September 15), probably both by birds radiating from the Wellington group. During the same period the range extended farther inland in the North Island, the deepest penetration being at Taihape, some fifty miles from the sea, which was reached by September 15. Other areas entered included Carterton (September 5), Feilding (September 5), and Wanganui (September 11) In the far north Kaitaia reported the birds on September 13, though it seems likely that they may have been present there earlier.

During the second half of September more areas of the North Island were occupied, including the volcanic plateau, birds being reported at Tokaanu on September 26. Meanwhile fresh landings were being made in the South Island, Greymouth reporting them first on September 17, only three days after Blenheim had been reached, though they were not reported from Nelson till September 21. nor from Farewell Spit lighthouse till the evening of September 27. As the two latter places lie between Blenheim and Greymouth, it is again probable that separate groups of birds made independent landfalls from the sea at these several points. In the case of Farewell Spit such is known to have been the case (see section of this paper on “Landfall Observations”). Other points occupied were Ngahere (September 29), Ravensbourne (September 18), and Hawarden (September 22). By September 28 Little Barrier Island had been reached.

During October the greater part of the North Island was occupied and further fresh incursions were reported in the South Island at widely scattered points, the dates being progressively later toward